Reinstating border checks would result in higher costs and prices, which would have a negative impact on Europe's economic growth. Even in an optimistic scenario, which assumes that the price of goods imported from other European countries would rise by only a moderate one percent, growth would decline substantially. Based on conservative assumptions, Germany's weaker growth would produce losses of up to 77 billion euros over the ten-year period from 2016 to 2025. France's cumulative losses would amount to 80.5 billion euros. Over ten years, the gross domestic product (GDP) of Europe as a whole would drop by some 470 billion euros. A more pessimistic scenario assumes that the price of imports would increase by three percent. Cumulated GDP losses would then total 235 billion euros in Germany, 244 billion euros in France and 1.4 trillion euros in the EU.
These findings, according to Aart De Geus, chairman of the Bertelsmann Stiftung Executive Board, clearly argue against reinstating border checks in Europe. "If Europe's internal barriers go back up, it will put even more pressure on growth – which is already weak," says De Geus. "Ultimately, it is the people who will pay."
To arrive at these figures, the study looked at the time that would be needed to check passports at Europe's internal borders. Longer waiting times mean higher labor costs for companies. Companies would also have to increase their stock on hand, since just-in-time deliveries could no longer be guaranteed. Both of these factors would result in higher production costs and, in turn, higher prices. When prices go up, consumer demand goes down and companies become less competitive in the international markets, which also reduces exports. Lower demand for goods ultimately leads to a drop in investments. When sales opportunities decline, companies adapt by cutting production. The result is less economic growth.
In an increasingly interdependent world, these effects would lead to lower economic growth in non-European countries as well. If the price of imports were to rise by one percent, declining growth in the United States and China would produce losses of 91 and 95 billion euros, respectively, between 2016 and 2025. Assuming an increase of three percent, the cumulative losses in both countries would amount to approximately 280 billion euros.
About the study:
The calculations were carried out by Prognos AG on behalf of the Bertelsmann Stiftung, using a macroeconomic model that covers 42 countries and more than 90 percent of global economic activity. It looks not only at the creation and use of the goods and services produced, but also at the labor market and public finances, taking into account the exports, imports, exchange rates etc. of all of the countries involved. The model is used to calculate forecasts and possible scenarios.
